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I have never in my life been able to create a decent roller set, but I am a fan of Folake from Style Pantry and tried my hardest to get my hair as big as her's....#fail - or as my nephew says EPIC FAIL! But, I did like the way it came out, just not as big as her's:(

I roller set on wet hair using green and large pink magnetic rollers, next time I will only use green. I did this set 3 weeks ago and the sections I used green rollers for it's still tightly curled. If you'd perfer looser waves, I'd suggest the pink rollers - the set wouldn't last as long though.

I detangled with Kinky Kurly Knot Today's leavin-in, and used Kinky Kurly Curling Custard to set. I didn't roll in any specific pattern, I just seperated my hair into three sections and did the best I could lol.

I let my hair air dry throughout the day, and it was still a little damp the next morning, so I sat under the dryer for 30 minutes then removed the rollers.

The results of the take down:

I purposely zig zagged my middle part because I don't have much volume and it helps me cheat and have the apperance of volume. What I do is part my hair a few inches over where I'd actually like the part to be. So that when I part my hair on the side the zig zagged hair is flipped over to create some instant fake volume. Confused?

At Night, I pineappled (when I remembered). The picture below is the morning after the pineapple.

Hey, hey, Hey I don't want to bombard yall with too much information, but after almost 10 years my dreams are finally coming into fruition.

My very first Spring collection is slated for Spring 2012!! I am accepting pre-orders for custom pieces of 'Haute Chocolate' to be delivered by Valentine's day - never too early to start thinking about it :)

I invite you to 'like' my facebook page and follow me on my journey as well as for exclusive news and contests. Currently, I am offering a 20% discount code just for sharing your "New Year's Non-Resolution".

Hair:I didn’t know I reached my goal of MBL until I straightened on the 19th and saw the middle was grazing waist length! GREAT SURPRISE!!

I added apple cider vinegar/cool distilled water to my regimen. The first half of fall, I wore my hair straight and maintained with 2 flexi-rods: Blue for a straight look, purple for layered look. The second half, I am wearing different ponytails/braided styles on stretched hair, with little to no bunning.

Weight:I returned back to work, so I have less time/energy to work out. I’m only walking 15-20 miles a week; haven’t started training for the 5k as of yet. I don’t eat anything after 5 pm.

I did absolutely nothing to my hair in September. I washed every weekend and bunned. I didn’t have time to deep condition *slapping myself on the hand.* But I did see a lot of length retention. Hair is little past BSL. I actually think it grew, but I’ll know for sure when I straighten in November.

Pre-Poo with Grapeseed Oil and Hair Cholesterol

Wash out and detangle in shower with Hello Hydration

Apply Kinky Kurly Knot Today Leave in Conditioner from root to length

Cantu Shea Butter around edges and dry parts without rubbing in (I like to let it melt on its own – lasts longer.)

I’ve reached my pre-pregnancy weight, but I have not reached my pre-pregnancy size … how weird is that??? I haven’t given up yet. But, I’ve created a workout schedule where I only exercise Monday through Thursday. So, I don’t completely give up. The C-section scar has left me with a flap of skin that drives me CRAZY. I don’t think I’ll ever have a completely flat stomach again, but I’ll still try and see what happens. Enough complaining. After the doctor gave me the okay to exercise again, I started:

Preparing for my 5k by running on Mondays and Wednesdays

Lean and tone by taking Yoga twice a week

When I’d skip a day, I’d use the hubby’s Xbox Kinect. When I needed fun exercise, my top picks were:

Ok, I was about to pre-poo my little one's hair and first had to unravel her front braid. When I took it out, it fell to the front - like a bang. OMG, sooooooo funny. She loved it!!! I let her keep it out for a while and then pre-pooed later. She's only 1 but she looks so much older with her BANGS!

I haven’t done much to my hair or regimen this month. When I measured, the length reached my bra strap. I’ve pre-pooed with Grapeseed oil and Hair Cholesterol and co washed with Hello Hydration every weekend in August. I wet bunned the entire month with the exception of a 2 day wash and go. I’m applying a deep conditioner now, and will wash it out later this afternoon. My goal for the next month is to try a Curlformers set, I purchased them about 2 weeks ago and they are still in the box.

Exercise:I was set back for two weeks, as I gave birth on August 13th via Caesarean section. But, part of the healing process involved walking and I also ate as healthy as possible. Now that I’m still healing, it’s so easy to grab fast food when I’m not feeling well. But, overall, I’ve been eating “healthier,” and walking a minimum of 45 minutes, 4 days a week and chasing after my one year old. I gained 28 lbs this pregnancy and have lost 17 of them so far.

Remember the other day, when I was talking about Shelli from Hairscapades. SHE FEATURED ME ON HER BLOG!! When I submitted to the GOC, she asked if I had a curly picture because I only submitted ones with my hair straightened. So I replied with the only curly picture that I own, because me and my curls don't necessarily get along all the time...I don't know what to do with them but bun - working on fixing that though. I wasn't really expecting a response, because the girl seems BUSY - she blogs dang near every day and I didn't want to waste too much of her time. WELL, she replied and sent me through the roof telling me how much she liked it, I was soooooo flattered. Well, she reposted it on her blog today and I even noticed the post had COMMENTS - bwahahhaha - I'm so excited and its way to early in the morning for that. I'm on my way to my 39th week doctor's appointment, so hopefully the doctor tells me I'm 10 centimenters dialated and ready to push and my knight in shining armor whisks me away to the hospital and I have the baby and come back home tomorrow (wishful thinking much??)

We went to take family/maternity photos this past weekend, because well - the countdown to when baby #2 gets here is almost complete. It was quite the eventful day, from 'Beyonce' missing one and a half naps, 'Numero Dos' cutting backflips on my ovaries, to the Arizona sun trying to melt my poor little life away. But I wouldn't trade any of it for the world. Taking these couple of weeks off before the baby gets here has really been great, I can 'try' to sleep in and 'try' to take naps in the middle of the day - even if I miss them it's the idea that it's possible that makes it all worth while :). I worked all the way up to the day before my daughter was born and was back at work a month later, I wouldn't recommend that to my worst enemy!! But anywho, here are a few pictures from the sessions. My hubby took some at home...because he reads my mind like a book :)

I've joined another hair challenge that begins today, and I'm really excited about it. Shelli over at Hairscapades has created one after her major MAJOR growth with Kim Coles' grow out challenge. I didn't have enough self-motivation at the time of that challenge, but after Shelli's growth - ummm, yeaaah...MOTIVATED. So today is my first day, and this challenge will last 6 months - I'm so excited!

I'm always game for a challenge, so when I decided to mosey on down to MopTopMaven's blog (pic below) and noticed there was a 'Healthy Hair Challenge' - I was game! I hope to document my progress here, anyone else game? Here's the link and the deets to the challenge.

"My starting length is BSL, my goal is mid back length, and I will maintain a regimen that is a combination of Traditional, Natural, and Ayurvedic"

Whether your goal is "bra strap" length hair, or growing out your TWA, join me for the healthy hair in 2011 challenge! No matter the state of your hair, you can turn it around by practicing healthy hair care techniques and keeping an air tight regimen [which sounds harder than it actually is]. Healthy hair isn't limited to just wearing your hair in a natural state. You can have healthy heat straightened hair and healthy relaxed as well. The key is to do everything in moderation.

In order to get the best results, it's best to start your personal hair care challenge with a trim. If your ends are in good condition you can skip this step. Trimming your hair is essential to retaining length. Here's why; ends that are split will eventually break off, and you will gradually lose length this way. Couple healthy ends and care when handling your hair and you will be able to retain that 1/2 inch of growth monthly.

There are many ways you can care for your hair during this challenge. You can go with a traditional regimen using some of your favorite products, you can opt for all natural products, and you can even take the Ayurvedic route. No matter which regimen you choose, the things you must remember are:

Keep your hair protected at night: Sleep with the use of a satin bonnet, or on a satin pillowcase, not only will this help protect your strands from breakage, but it will also help stretch the life of your hair style.

Deep conditioning regularly: Hair that is highly textured needs regular conditioning intervals to help replenish lost moisture and nutrients to keep it healthy and promote hair growth.

Keeping these basic principles in mind will foster healthy hair and also keep you motivated as you start to see the health of your hair improve and also start to notice growth. Some essential tools you need on your journey are:

Styling aid: For doing styles like twist outs or braid outs. You can use hair butters like Bee Mine Bee Hold Curly Butter, or puddings like Miss Jessie's

How the challenge works: The first session of this challenge will last for six months. Every month I will hold two virtual check-ins where I create a post geared towards answering questions, concerns, and talking about products. One check in will be via LiveStream, so that I can answer your questions real time, and the other check in will be via blog post for those that are unable to log on to get their questions answered. ---

The goal is to create a community that encourages women to start taking better care of their hair, and get questions answered about products, setbacks, general self esteem issues, and regimens so that they feel good about themselves and their journey.

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The healthy hair care challenge is open to anyone who wants to ring in the New Year with a healthier approach to hair care. It doesn't matter if you are relaxed, natural, transitioning, or heat straightened.

To kick it off, my starting length is mid back length, my goal is waist-length, and I will maintain a regimen that is a combination of traditional, natural, and Ayurvedic! ---The challenge will start Jan 1rst, and will run for six months! If you're looking to turn your hair around and you don't know where to start, or you're lost in your hair journey, or simply want a little motivation, let's go! --

If you would like to be notified of the check-in dates ahead of time, and receive a newsletter [one newsletter will go out once monthly and will cover a range of topics from protective styling options, to product recommendations, DIY hair care recipes etc], please send an email with "Subscribe" in the subject line to: mtmhealthyhairchallenge@gmail.com

I DESERVE THIS KIT MOST OF ALL BECAUSE I HAVE BeeN A GOOD GIRL!i TURNED 47 THIS YEAR & HAVE BEEN SOBER FOR 7 YEARS!Still, all the years before that wreaked havoc on my skin & now I am obessesed with trying new products to bring back that healthy glow to my skin.

Thanks to all who participated in the Second Week of our Christmas Giveaway! Because of the great responses, we have decided to hold MONTHLY contests, beginning on the first day of every month and ending on the last day of every month! So subscribe to the site to be the first to know what each giveaway is for the month. Merry Christmas!

***(One winner will be chosen at random for each day. Post a comment to enter the giveaway for each day! Giveaways starts at 12:00 am PST and ends 11:59 pm PST each day. Winners will be announced on this blog on 12/25/2010 by 5:00 pm PST. If the winner does not reply within 5 business days of being contacted, another winner will be chosen.)

Smile, it's the last entry! - A photo of your brightest smile and what toothpaste you're using right now

The brightest smile that I can have after a long 40 hour work week is the one shown below - TGIF :) The toothpaste I'm currently using is Crest 3D White Vivid Fluoride Anticavity Toothpaste, Radiant Mint (guess you can tell I had to google the name).

The end of the 30 day challenge is somewhat bittersweet. While I enjoyed participating and letting 'you' get to know me, I'm also very excited about sharing topics that I'm interested in and others may find of interest in too. I hope you enjoyed the journey, we have a LOT more in store for you.

Cheeeeeeeese!!!! I take pride in healthy, oral hygiene. Studies have proven that a brighter, whiter smile takes years off of your appearance. I am a faithful, twice a day user of Crest Whitening toothpaste with Scope. It has tarter control agents and whitening agents; it also fights gingivitis and bad breath. Everyone tells my sisters and me that we have the same smile---we do. Our parents insured that, cosmetically, we would have strong, healthy teeth. Thanks mom and dad! As children, we kept our six month dental appointments. Terysa had orthodontic work done as a teenager, but Shana and I had adult orthodontic work done---all with Dr. John C. Daire (shout out).

It took me a while to realize how much of a difference a few good brushes would make. These are not products that I could justify spending more than a few bucks on until a few months ago when I was splurging at the MAC counter at Belk's. I purchased the "She's Got it All Apply, Define, and Line Brush Collection" by MAC. They are amazing and I will never go back to the generic brushes that I was using!

I love my Satin Strands Looper Paddle Brush that I purchased from Sally's. It is designed for people with hair extensions, wigs, hair pieces, and braids because it's not supposed to be harsh on the hair. Well, I don't have any of the above; however, this brush has stood the test of time for me. I don't like a brush that is too hard, but when I use it, I like to feel it being used. YA KNOW??
One of my inexpensive brushes that I also love is by Goody that can be purchased from any Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, etc. It is my wooden hair brush. It has an extra long handle that is used for easy gripping. It also has several, sturdy bristles that allows for my hair to be groomed easily. I have a few others, but these are the only two worthy of being mentioned.